What rebellion did Nathaniel Bacon lead in Virginia due to his resentment towards large planters?

Nathaniel Bacon led Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia in 1676 as a response to his dissatisfaction with the colonial government's inability to protect frontier settlers from attacks by Native Americans. His resentment was directed towards the wealthy planters and the ruling elite who controlled the government and the lucrative land. Bacon believed that the government favored the interests of these large planters, thus neglecting the needs of smaller farmers and frontier settlers.

The rebellion highlighted significant class tensions in the Virginia colony, as Bacon rallied poorer farmers and indentured servants against the established colonial leadership. The conflict also brought light to the issues of land ownership and the rights of settlers who felt disenfranchised. Although the rebellion ultimately failed and Bacon died shortly after, it marked a pivotal moment in colonial history, influencing future relations between the settlers and Native Americans, as well as prompting changes in the labor system, as the colonial elite began to turn increasingly towards African slavery for labor, aiming to prevent similar uprisings.

Understanding this rebellion is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of colonial society, the legacy of class struggle, and the early tensions that foreshadowed larger conflicts in American history.